Greg Hryniewicz, Vice President

Observant Leadership

In the demanding world of concrete, our workforce is diverse in skill and personality. For many of us leaders, our primary role is optimizing our team’s productivity. One strategy I have been working on is observing and understanding my employees.

Observation is a deceptively simple yet powerful tool. By watching how individuals perform their tasks, interact with peers, and talk about their interests, I gather valuable insights into their strengths and weaknesses. This goes beyond merely identifying who is efficient at processing invoices or preparing schedules; it encompasses understanding their interests, communication styles, leadership potential and work bias.

For example, an administrative assistant who consistently resolves scheduling conflicts or proactively organizes data might have strong analytical and organizational skills. Similarly, an employee who frequently expresses creative opinions might not be best suited for rote tasks.

Leveraging Personality Profile Tools

While observation provides qualitative insights, personality profile tools add a layer of quantitative assessment. Instruments like the DISC personality assessment or the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator can reveal underlying tendencies that are not always apparent on the surface. These tools help categorize individuals into actionable profiles—such as those who are more creative vs those who ‘just want to get it done’. When used more broadly, you can see if you have gaps in your organization, identifying unseen weaknesses.

Implementing these assessments need not be complex. An initial investment in training or hiring a consultant to administer and interpret the results can yield long-term benefits. These tools not definitive judgments but guides to better understanding their team and the players.

Evaluating and Matching Skills to Roles

Once armed with observational insights and personality profile data, the next step is ensure employees are in a position to succeed.

For instance, consider an employee who demonstrates a keen eye for design but struggles with multitasking under tight deadlines. Assigning them to roles that prioritize creativity, like client relations, may yield better results than expecting them to manage multiple projects. Conversely, a dynamic individual might thrive in roles like project coordination, where hustle, agility and quick thinking are essential.

Building a Culture of Cooperation

Understanding and leveraging individual strengths also fosters cooperation. When employees recognize that their unique contributions are acknowledged and valued, they are more likely to respect and support their peers. This creates a workplace culture where collaboration is the norm rather than the exception.

The Role of a Leader

Ultimately, an observant leader acts as both a leader and a strategist, guiding their team to function as a cohesive unit. By combining the art of observation with the science of personality profiling, leaders can unlock their team’s full potential. The result is a workforce that exceeds operational goals.

In concrete, the true foundation of success lies in the strength of the team. Invest the time to understand your employees as a whole, and you’ll build more than just structures—you’ll build a legacy of excellence.